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MULTIPLE UNIT DIESEL TRAINS

Memorandum of meeting held at Marylebone on 14.2.55.

PRESENT :-

Mr.R.Ellis, Manager of British United Traction Ltd. was present for Part 2 of the meeting.

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PART 1.

The Chairman referred to the Report of 3rd February sent by the General Manager of the North Eastern Region to Members of the Railways Sub-Commission dealing with the deterioration which had occured in the availability of the West Riding Diesel Trains. It is necessary to investigate most fully the cause of such a deterioration and to establish what action must be taken to restore a reliable service in the West Riding and at the same time to consider what steps should be taken to avoid a recurrence of such incidents on the West Riding services and to ensure that similar troubles do not arise in connection with any other services to be put into operation in the future.

Reviewing the performance of these cars since the West Riding service commenced it was noted that modifications agreed with the suppliers of engines and transmission gear as a result of experience gained during the initial stage had not yet been completed, as certain items had not yet been supplied by the Manufacturers. There had therefore been some difficulties in maintaining the cars in service but the recent severe weather conditions of driving rain and subsequently frost which had revealed weaknesses in design. It was agreed that the troubles experienced could not be attributed to faulty workmanship either in Railway Workshops or by Contractors.

Full discussion ensued on details of failures methods of maintenance and the degree of liason between the builders, operators and contractors concerned and the following summarises the decisions reached.

(i) Arrangements will be made for completing, at the earliest possible date, all agreed modifications to these cars, the sets being returned one at a time to Derby for this purpose.

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